Life beyond Radford

Life for me now is exciting, I am in my second year of University studying Psychology. I also work at a cinema and Black Mountain School. I started work at BMS at the beginning of this year when I thought about how much I missed doing work which had a real meaning to it.

It would be hard to pinpoint one moment at Radford for me to say was my favourite. But what I am probably most grateful for was the opportunities which were provided at Radford to do communal and meaningful volunteering and work. These opportunities including BMS visits, G trips and Community service programs were a massive highlight for me and definitely the part of Radford that I am most thankful for.

Can't say I'm one for inspirational figures, but the people that I admire the most are probably the BMS staffs and executives. In the half a year I've been here it's hard to put in words how much they have opened my eyes to in terms of building relationships with kids, learning and teaching.

Honestly when it came to deciding what I wanted to do, it took time but when I found Psychology I knew almost right away. Throughout Radford I always loved doing disability work, and I think in a way it linked into the Psychology I was interested in. But it wasn't until I had left Radford for a year that I had realised how much I missed it.

From BMS I feel like I've absorbed a new way to engage and interact with all people, and a greater sense of belonging. The staff here are so warm and the kids have so much potential.

For current students I would say first off to not be stressed, stress is a time muncher which ate away at a lot of my Year 11 and 12. Also to involve yourself. Radford is a place which offers you the opportunity - but you have take it. One of the biggest realisations no one tells you until you leave is that everything at Radford is so readily available and it's so important to engage yourself because when you leave it’s all up to you.

Find something that fulfils you, if its’ work, volunteering or anything else.